Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[Beachbum]

Having been an owner for only 4 weeks, I was not aware that paint blistering was an issue and TBH shocked that it is. Lotus have had this issue for years. Elise's have suffered this, at least since the S2 first rolled off the production line, not heard so much on the S3s. Initially it was how Lotus stored the body panels, outside in all weathers. Then other issues with how the paint process was carried out.
In the end Elise owners were sending cars back to be repaired in large volumes and Lotus did them all, although with a a lot of feet dragging and general delays due to volume. I know owners that were sending back cars that were 5/6yrs old, that Lotus still repaired
Whats amazing, is that Lotus did not learn and the Emira seems to be suffering from similar issues. Although I should not be that surprised, given the issues with the AC water ingress, is the exact same issue, that the Elise S2s had with water ingress for the heater resistor packs

 

[Lego Man]

Did Lotus Essex change the door or was it Chaplane's?
Just thinking ahead.

Not sure who Chaplanes are, all the work is via Lotus Essex, but they use a local body work company (I'm not sure of their name). Make sure you get confirmation from the warranty team at Lotus HQ that both doors are being replaced, not customer care.

 

[Nick Sticks]

Not sure who Chaplanes are, all the work is via Lotus Essex, but they use a local body work company (I'm not sure of their name). Make sure you get confirmation from the warranty team at Lotus HQ that both doors are being replaced, not customer care.

It should be this place in Colchester, I had some work done on a VW and it was excellent.

Lotus Approved Bodyshop Car Accident Body Repairer Colchester, Essex

Chaplane is an official Lotus Approved Bodyshop Accident Repair centre for the Colchester, Essex area.

www.chaplane.co.uk

 

[seriously]

Having been an owner for only 4 weeks, I was not aware that paint blistering was an issue and TBH shocked that it is. Lotus have had this issue for years. Elise's have suffered this, at least since the S2 first rolled off the production line, not heard so much on the S3s. Initially it was how Lotus stored the body panels, outside in all weathers. Then other issues with how the paint process was carried out.
In the end Elise owners were sending cars back to be repaired in large volumes and Lotus did them all, although with a a lot of feet dragging and general delays due to volume. I know owners that were sending back cars that were 5/6yrs old, that Lotus still repaired
Whats amazing, is that Lotus did not learn and the Emira seems to be suffering from similar issues. Although I should not be that surprised, given the issues with the AC water ingress, is the exact same issue, that the Elise S2s had with water ingress for the heater resistor packs

That's fascinating and not in a good way.

 

[Briggo]

My Emira is in this week for two replacement doors due to blistering. Manufactured in Dec 22. Lotus have agreed to replace both under warranty along with a leaking power steering pump. I am advised that the doors come from Lotus unpainted and dealership send to a local bodyshop to fit and paint. I will be without the car for 2/3 weeks and fingers crossed for an outstanding job!

 

[Beachbum]

My Emira is in this week for two replacement doors due to blistering. Manufactured in Dec 22. Lotus have agreed to replace both under warranty along with a leaking power steering pump. I am advised that the doors come from Lotus unpainted and dealership send to a local bodyshop to fit and paint. I will be without the car for 2/3 weeks and fingers crossed for an outstanding job!

How the hell does it take 2-3 weeks to paint 2 doors?
I would insist on something speedier and a replacement Emira whilst they had it

 

[Briggo]

How the hell does it take 2-3 weeks to paint 2 doors?
I would insist on something speedier and a replacement Emira whilst they had it

Agreed! They did the pump yesterday and I can see on the tracker that the car is now with the paint shop! Sadly the courtesy car is a Vauxhall Corsa!!

 

[912Matt]

Not sure who Chaplanes are, all the work is via Lotus Essex, but they use a local body work company (I'm not sure of their name). Make sure you get confirmation from the warranty team at Lotus HQ that both doors are being replaced, not customer care

Thanks for this Is there a specific email address/phone number for the warranty team, or do I have to go through LCC?

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Mines was manufactured October 2022

Thanks to this thread I checked yesterday and under the driver door window there is blistering/bubbling under the paint!

My concern is.... putting on a fresh new door with a metallic colour like nimbus grey via warranty.

Wow, just noticed on my Seneca Blue the exact same thing. 6 small bubbles all in a line, only just happened as I washed the car 2 days ago and nothing, but spotted these immediately this morning.

Booked in for reversing camera replacement in October and they will check it out and see what needs doing.

 

[Beardedbradley]

Agreed! They did the pump yesterday and I can see on the tracker that the car is now with the paint shop! Sadly the courtesy car is a Vauxhall Corsa!!

Caffyns?

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Agreed! They did the pump yesterday and I can see on the tracker that the car is now with the paint shop! Sadly the courtesy car is a Vauxhall Corsa!!

Did you have to pay for the courtesy car? JCT600 wanted £50/$65/€65 for one, couldn't tell me what I'd get other than it could be the managers car, an Audi.

 

[Briggo]

Caffyns?

Yes

 

[Briggo]

Did you have to pay for the courtesy car? JCT600 wanted £50/$65/€65 for one, couldn't tell me what I'd get other than it could be the managers car, an Audi.

No charge but I paid £15 to lower the insurance XS in the event of an accident in the courtesy car

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Mines going into lotus Bradford uk to have both doors replaced although the issue is with the passenger door,the annoying part is they need it for 2 weeks9 months to fix this

Mine going there for the reversing camera in 2 weeks and they're checking out the bubbling paint too.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

I raise you paint bubbling and give you Toyota white pearlescent from 2009. My daily, a Toyota IQ, started with the paint problem 10 years from purchase, of course they wouldn't touch it. A fault in the dipping process prior to priming appears to be the reason, an incorrect mixture used on 2009/20010 white pearlescent cars.

I had to sand to bare metal the bonnet and roof before starting from scratch.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I raise you paint bubbling and give you Toyota white pearlescent from 2009. My daily, a Toyota IQ, started with the paint problem 10 years from purchase, of course they wouldn't touch it. A fault in the dipping process prior to priming appears to be the reason, an incorrect mixture used on 2009/20010 white pearlescent cars.

I had to sand to bare metal the bonnet and roof before starting from scratch.

That sucks, did you manage to get a professional spray job or are you attempting to do it yourself.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

That sucks, did you manage to get a professional spray job or are you attempting to do it yourself.

Did it myself. Its a 3 part paint so quite hard to get a really good match via DIY, I painted the roof and bonnet with a black similar to the Raptor paint you can get. I used a brush to apply and went over with a foam roller, it looks better than it might sound .

I wouldn't want my Emira painted in it though.

 

[dobber82]

I have two new doors being fitted today ... keeping my fingers crossed they dont bubble - has anybody had bubbling after swapping?

 

[Steveo]

Got my car back from jct lotus Bradford and to say I’m angry is a massive understatement,firstly they’ve only replaced the passenger side door and they’ve blended in the whole side which has left buffer trails the car was in an inspection bay which was quite small so I couldn’t really see until I got home, they didn’t even put the Emira badge on
I’ll be contacting lotus about this because now I have to pay my detailer to correct this and ceramic coat again

 

[dobber82]

Got my car back from jct lotus Bradford and to say I’m angry is a massive understatement,firstly they’ve only replaced the passenger side door and they’ve blended in the whole side which has left buffer trails the car was in an inspection bay which was quite small so I couldn’t really see until I got home, they didn’t even put the Emira badge on
I’ll be contacting lotus about this because now I have to pay my detailer to correct this and ceramic coat again

This sounds horrific and is exactly the kind of thing I am worried about!!!